Crush Challenge, the ultimate food, wine and cycling event in Napa Valley benefiting UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, will take place Aug. 15. Over the years, the popular event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help advance cancer center research into nontoxic treatment for lymphoma.
Hosted by the deLeuze Family Charitable Foundation and ZD Wines, the day starts at about 9:15 a.m. with a cycling event. Go to crushchallenge.org to register now for the ride through picturesque wine country.
Don’t want to ride but still want to enjoy food and wine?
Purchase tickets online for the Food & Wine Garden in North Yountville Park. The all-inclusive experience includes samples from premium partners: 10 restaurants, 10 vintners and an ice-cold beer option for you to sip and savor your way through Napa Valley’s finest.
Entertainment includes dancing to a live band and a silent auction featuring top-tier wines and unique items.
The story behind the special fundraiser
Norman deLeuze, founder of ZD Wines, was the inspiration for Crush Challenge. Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, the iconic Napa winemaker sought treatments beyond traditional radiation and chemotherapy with UC Davis oncologist Joseph Tuscano, who specializes in cancers of the blood. Money raised from the Crush Challenge funds Tuscano’s research into nontoxic cancer treatment options.
Tuscano cycles with the UC Davis team. He’s grateful for the growing interest in the Crush Challenge, which also raises awareness about the critical importance of cancer research.
“I see the faces of the victims of lymphoma and other blood cancers daily. But I also carry with me the kindness of those whose faces I will never see and yet they support us in this challenge to ‘crush cancer.’ I’m grateful because we cannot do it alone,” Tuscano said.
